"Love, Simon"

by Kristina Livingston - Executive Editor

Tue, Mar 27th 2018 11:00 pm

The genre of young-adult romance novels just so happens to be off my radar and outside my realm of interest — equally as such are the widely treasured films released based on their cheesy material. But, when I first heard of “Love, Simon,” I knew I had to take one for the team. The gay team, that is.

“Love, Simon” is, to my knowledge, the only movie of its kind that exists. Despite being many things, it is the first gay romantic comedy for teens.

The kicker?

In the movie, Simon faces many hardships coming-of-age, as coming-out gay teens do, which may be stress-inducing, yes, but I can’t begin to tell you how refreshing it was to just sit down and strap in for a whimsical, cheesy gay story where no one had to suffer a terrible tragedy.

Simon (Nick Robinson) and his friends are busy living in the moment, participating in the theater department, having sleepovers, and being doted upon by their unrealistically understanding parents while he suffers inside, hiding his sexuality, an integral part of himself, which he explores through a series of anonymous emails with a fellow closeted student at his school.

“Love, Simon” does a wonderful job of portraying Simon’s tendency to idealize and fall in temporary love with every cute boy he meets who he believes has the potential to be his virtual pen pal. Simon knows in his heart that his family and friends will accept him for who he is, and that nothing will change if he gets his self-proclaimed “secret” off his chest. It is coming to terms with being different that suffocates him.

Again, I must state a disclaimer that the age demographic of this film gives rise to never-ending often cringey dialogue, but you get over it.

I won’t indicate any spoilers in this review — half the fun is not knowing where Simon’s flirts, daydreams and worries will take him.

I will conclude in saying, if I could have one wish, it would be to make endless, cute and carefree LGBT movies like this available to young people. I have no idea how “Love, Simon” could have helped me when I was embarking on my teenage years, as a member of the LGBT community myself, but I am enthralled for all who get to experience it and the hopeful demand for more like it.